Mumbai: In view of the lockdown being extended up to April 30, the Maharashtra Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat has asked the divisional commissioners and district collectors to supervise that foodgrains are made available to migrated families under the Public Distribution Scheme as part of the portability ration card. Already the department of food and civil supplies has issued its directives in this regard.
''However, it has come to our notice that despite such directives, foodgrains are not being supplied to migrated families. Therefore, wide publicity should be given for the directive by the department of food and civil supplies,'' said Thorat in his directive to the divisional commissioners and district collectors.
Further, Thorat has said he has received many complaints with regard to the sale of essential goods through grocery shops at the inflated rates. Action should be taken immediately against such grocery shop operators.
He asked the divisional commissioners and district collectors to launch a special helpline for the benefit of consumers. In a related development, Minister of Food and Civil Supplies Chhagan Bhujbal said the department of weights and measures has set up special squads to take action against those indulging into black marketing, hoarding and sale of essential commodities at inflated rates.
''These squads will initiate action after assessing the stocks in the go downs, cold chains and the price at which essential commodities are sold.
The department of food and civil supplies has issued a directive for a joint action with the departments of revenue and police to curb such instances during the lockdown,'' said Bhujbal. Bhujbal reiterated that there was enough stock of food grains in the state.
